BUCKING THE SARGE
Christopher Curtis
Pub. Random House
p.259 $15.95 0-385-32307-7
“Luther T. Feral is doomed.” Or at least in the biggest pickle of his life, and he’s only 15. And for what reason? Well how about this…he is one of the smartest people in his whole school, and is looking to be the only person ever to get the 1st place in the science fair at his school. But, his mom or a.k.a “The sarge” is one of the most corrupt people ever too live.
But that’s not the only twist. Seeing as his mom secretly uses illegal supplies at work to make her profit. This is important because Luther decides to research the effects of illegal paint. Unknowingly that is one of the illegal products that his mom uses. So, yea, bad news for him.
This is one of those books about trouble, humor, and adventure. It leaves you wondering what going to happen next. And I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes humor.
Alex Rider’s uncle passes away from a car crash. He wanted to see if his uncle really died from a car crash. He found out some one shot his uncle. Alan Blunt, leader of a spy agency named MI6, called Alex to see if he can go to the bank. He wanted to see his uncle’s office. He jumps out the window and gets caught by Alan blunt. Who sent him to this house with all this traps. The next thing he knew he was in a spy agency called the MI6. He saw his uncle’s file named “Storm Breaker.” And wanted to find what it is. This author likes to add lots of twist and turn in the story and has a lot of action that makes you not want to put down.
I recommend this book to teenagers. Also to people who like action books and adventure books.
_
The Bear and The Dragon Berkley, 2002, 1152 pp., $19.11
Tom Clancy ISBN: 0425180964
President Jack Ryan is a newbie in the world of politics. He finds life as the POTUS (President of the United States) is boring, robotic, and benign. It seems as if everything he does is watched and edited for mistakes. The meticulous planning of his everyday life drives him insane. He often asks himself, “Why am I here?” It isn’t until later that he realizes the answer to that very important question.
While the President ponders his devotion to his job, serious threats await the Chairmen of Russia, Golvovko. A gun is shot at him, but, it just so happens that it hits the identical car next to him, and he is returned safely back to his headquarters. There he finds himself wondering was the shooting purposeful or was it a mistake? Or who was the target intended for? It’s up to the President to find out who did this and why. The answer, he finds, is more difficult to swallow than the threat itself.
The Bear and the Dragon, by Tom Clancy is a novel you can’t put down. Clancy creates a world in your mind of suspense and everlasting fear of the unknown for what might happen. His novel is full of action and suspense, and he never fails to leave you wondering, “Why?” I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a book about the everyday struggles of life.
Reviewed By: Melanie
_ Lonesome Dove
Larry McMurtry
Simon and Schuster, 1989, 922 pp., $17.92
ISBN:9781558006225
On a scale of 1-10, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry is a surefire 10. It’s about two old, retired Texas Rangers living in an “old fart of a town called Lonesome Dove”. One named Gus McCrae is full of wit, adventure, and lust, and his partner in crime Woodrow Call is full of heartbreak and contempt. Although their characters are completely different, there is one thing they share: they are in love. Gus admits it too freely, and Woodrow never admits it enough. Together, the two of them embark on an adventure to “Montany” that changes their lives forever. Their different personalities come to a boiling point when they are confronted with a long term problem in their relationship- Maggie. Maggie and Woodrow had a baby together named Newt. Woodrow never admitted he was the father and his conscience got the worst of him when Maggie died. He could never admit he had made a big mistake with Maggie, and his relationship with Newt suffers as the reader is constantly frustrated by Woodrow denying that he is Newt’s father. Gus tries to tell him this, but Woodrow is too stubborn and proud to listen.
Larry McMurtry creates an ideal story in this book with a comic take on the pressures of life in the Western days. I laughed, I cried, and felt every single emotion there is. Filled with sorrow, battles, and love, Lonesome Dove will captivate any reader that enjoys to fall in love with a book.
Reviewed by: Melanie
_ State of Fear
Michael Crichton
Auron, 2004, 672 pp., $6.39
ISBN: 0061015733
Peter Evans is young, independent, and fully confident in his beliefs. He is a funny, witty lawyer and just so happens to be conveniently rich. He hopes to make his riches more abundant with a new job. Immediately, the head-honcho of the law firm asks him a simple question Peter thinks he is perfectly capable of answering: What is Global Warming?
Peter simply answers the question with an answer Peter knows to be true; the heating of the Earth through Greenhouse Gases. His boss answers with a simple, “No. It’s the theory.”
As Peter invests into the company, he gets more questions than answers, and finds himself doubting all he believes in. Joe’s suspicions increase when his boss from the law firm mysteriously dies in a car accident. The body was never found, and Peter wonders if his boss ever really got in a car accident at all. He struggles to link everything that has happened in his life, and finds everything comes back to one thing: Global Warming.
State of Fear, by Michael Crichton is an adventurous thriller that leaves you questioning your own beliefs, along with the beliefs of the characters as well. It never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Reviewed By: Melanie
The Uglies
Scott Westerfeld
Simon and Schuster children’s 2005,$7.99 Pp. 425
ISBN 978-0-689-86538-1
Tally can’t wait until she turns sixteen. In Tally’s world when you turn sixteen you get an operation to transform you into a prettier person, she believes she must follow this until she meets Shay, a rebellious girl who lives in Ugly Ville with Tally. Shay has decided that she wants to defy the authorities and not get the special operation and turn pretty. So Shay decides to run away to a place called “The Smokes”. “The smokes” is a place where ugly people go when they don’t want to turn pretty, and want to hide from the authorities. When Shay leaves, she leaves a paper with hints and clues to where “the smoke” is located, so that if Tally wants to follow her before her sixteenth birthday she can. Then the day of Tally’s operation the head woman of special circumstances calls her into “Special Circumstances”. Her name is Dr. Cable. Dr. Cable asks Tally about Shay and where she is. So, Tally tells her about “the smoke” and the directions Shay left her. Nobody except Tally even knows what the directions mean so Dr. Cable tells Tally that if she doesn’t go to “the smoke” and turn in her best friend then she won’t ever be able to turn pretty and fit into society.
“The Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld is an exciting treacherous book filled with lessons of friendship, loyalty, and trustworthiness. The characters really seem real to me because I can relate to my life, and I got caught up in the story. I could not put it down. I would recommend this to anyone with a thirst for adventure and friendship. I give this book a five star rating out of five.
Reviewed by: Micaela
_ Warriors: Forest of Secrets
Erin Hunter
Harper Collins, 2003, 316 pp, $6.99
ISBN 978-0-06-052561-3
Have you ever interacted with someone who you suspect is a betrayer, yet he acts so innocent? This is Fireheart’s case as he tries to prove his Clan deputy guilty of murder. Fireheart lives among many cats in a forest where each group is divided into four Clans. The cats fight for food, territory, and power.
This third book in the series of Warriors books continues to follow Fireheart, an average forest cat who used to live with humans. He suspects his deputy of murdering a previous deputy so he could be deputy himself. Meanwhile, he tries deal with his friend, Graystripe. Graystripe fell in love with a cat in another Clan and got her pregnant. Fireheart desperately tries to convince his friend to not meet her anymore. Meanwhile, he tries to uncover the truth about his leader, Bluestar, as he suspects two cats from another Clan belonging to her.
As the plot continues to build, the story gets more and more interesting. This book follows Fireheart using cat attributions as he makes a final attempt to prove his murderous deputy guilty. I thought that this book was a fairly good book, but it was not the best book in the series. I thought that this book had no straightforward plot, felt like it was just a rerun of what the cats usually do. The author could have put a lot more effort into the book because I thought that the book was just cheesy. The very end was surprising though. Any cat or adventure lover will enjoy this third book in Erin Hunter’s series of Warrior’s books. I liked the way that Erin used cat attributions to better explain the cat’s experiences and troubles.
-Conor
_ Warrior’s: The New Prophecy: Starlight
Erin Hunter
Harper Collins, 2006, 335 pp., $6.99
ISBN 978-0-06-082762-5
“Before there is peace...”
After the long journey the cats made due to a prophecy, which said their home would be destroyed; they finally arrived at their new home. However, there is a lot to do: territories to be made that are relevant to that Clan’s skill, a place for the four Clans to meet at full moons, and most importantly, a place to communicate with their ancestors.
Brambleclaw tries to settle his Clan into a new home because he and three other cats were the ones that received the prophecy that brought the four Clans to another forest. He also tries to deal with his friend, Squirrelflight. Squirrelflight is mad at Brambleclaw because Brambleclaw wants to have a relationship with his brother, Hawkfrost, whom she doesn’t trust. Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost feel distant and distrusted by their Clanmates because their father, Tigerstar, was a mass murderer and tried to take over the forest for power.
I thought that this book was a very good fantasy tale about cats. I would recommend this book to any cat-person or someone looking for an action-filled book. Erin Hunter wrote Starlight, the ninth book in the series, using cat attributions and followed the points of view of Brambleclaw and his Clan medicine cat, Leafpool. I thought that this book was a fairly enjoyable book to read because of Erin’s unique use of attributions that are cat-related, and the plot of this book made me reading for more.
-Conor
_ Warriors The New Prophecy: Twilight
Erin Hunter
Harper Collins, 2006, 331 pp., $6.99
ISBN 978-0-06-082767-0
“Oh StarClan, what should I do?” wailed Leafpool.
The cats have just moved to their new home and are still discovering many things about the new forest. As they settle in, many relationships are jeopardized.
Squirrelflight and Bramblclaw used to be unseperable and had romantic feelings for each other. All that changed when Brambleclaw started hanging out with his brother who lives in another Clan. Squirrelflight is furious with Brambleclaw and tells him his brother can’t be trusted. Meanwhile, Squirrelflight’s sister, Leafpool, discovers that she has feelings for another cat. Leafpool eventually must decide to forget her love, or figure out a way to be with him. Not only is that cat in another Clan, she is also a medicine cat, and medicine cats cannot fall in love. Along with relationship problems, the Clan is faced with a problem with badgers.
I thought that Starlight was sad at some times, but the rest of the book was adventurous and full of action. Told in both Squirrelflight’s and Leafpool’s point of views, Erin Hunter describes the actions and emotions the two cats go through using cat-like attributions. These attributions show me that this author is very creative with her words as she describes the cats’ experiences. I think that this book has been one of the best in the series thus far. I would recommend this book to any cat-lover or person looking for a good fantasy book.
-Conor
_ Ranger’s Apprentice: The Icebound Land book #3
John Flanagan
Philomel Books, 2006, 266 pgs.
$16.95, ISBN: 978-0-399-24456-8
Reviewed by: Roe
The Icebound Land is a great fantasy adventure book and is part of a sequel. The Ruins of Gorlan is book one and The Burning Bridge is book two. Flanagan starts this wonderful book with Will, the main character. He is an orphan who believes his dad was a famous knight and will find him someday. His master, Halt, is a master ranger and head of the ranger’s corpse and was training him in the way of the ranger. Now he finds himself on the wolfship and was taken by a crew of Skandians that captured him after he burned down the bridge. They encounter many obstacles like storms, slaves, guns, bows, and cabins in this wonderful book.
I found this book really thrilling as the non-stop action took hold of me. I recommend this book to all the medieval lovers out there.
_
Shackleton’s Stowaway
Victoria McKernan
Borzoi Book 2005 $15.95
pps.304 ISBN-0-375-82691-2
Perce Blackborow wants adventure in his life and can’t resist sneaking on Shackleton’s ship with the help of his friends Tim and Billy. When one of Shackleton’s men finds Perce in one of the lockers, Shackleton decides to keep him. Perce will have to work for the crew. When the ship sets sail for Antarctica, Perce assumes that he will finally get that adventure that he wanted, but instead the ship gets stuck in ice, and the crew has to abandon ship. The crew will have to work together to survive.
I liked this book because it is a good adventure book about spirit and surviving when there is no hope. This crew has to work together to escape the arctic. It’s a struggle every day for these people to survive in weather were if you spit it would freeze before it hit the ground, and yet they still keep going. Their food is scarce and it’s a joy to find a penguin to eat. After the crew lost their ship they had to eat seal and penguin and it drives the men crazy.
This is an inspirational Blue Bonnet book for any guy older than 10. Its an incredible book that I can guarantee you will like. It was possibly the best book I’ve ever read, and I bet you’ll feel the same.
Gen, who is a professional thief, is thrown in jail because of his incredible skill. When the king hears of his great achievements as a thief, Gen gets another chance at life. The king sends Gen to steal the great Hamiathe’s gift, an ancient stone with the power of immortality, in exchange for his freedom. So Gen sets off on an adventure with Sophos, Ambades, and the Magus, to find the stone, but there’s more to Gen then his appearance. What will happen on his way through hostile ground?
This story is full of surprises; there is a new event on every page. You’ll never expect what will happen in this action/puzzle adventure. You get to know Gen as you follow him in a first person point of view, but there is always more than he leads.
I enjoyed this book, it gets better and better as it goes on. People who like adventures will like this book. It is a book for all ages, and it’s a perfect way to kill some time. Even people who don’t like to read will be drawn to this book. I really don’t like to read books, but this was one I enjoyed.
-Brandon
James And The Giant Peach
Roald Dahl
Lane Smith, PP.144,
1996 ISBN-13:9780140374247
Could you imagine both of your parents dying and then being shipped off to live with your mean, terrible aunts? This is exactly what happens to the main character, James. James is a seven-year-old boy who never gets in trouble; he is a very friendly boy who loved being with his parents. Aunt Spiker is a very mean, cruel, nasty woman who just doesn’t like kids at all. Aunt Sponge is a very large lady who doesn’t really like children either. they treat James very awful such as making him eat what ever is left over from what aunt Sponge and aunt Spiker had for dinner that night. Will James ever get rid of his evil aunts and fly on a giant peach with his insect friends?
Roald Dahl makes this story very adventurous and very descriptive. Roald Dahl knows how to make a story very adventure. James and the Giant Peach is a fictional book. I would recommend this book to children six to ten years of age. If I would rate this book from zero to ten I would rate it an eight. The reason why I chose this book to read is because I like how Roald Dahl is just very adventurous. Seek James And The Giant Peach and start your adventure.
-Kyle
The Sea Of Monsters
Rick Riordon, Hyperion
Copyight- 2006 pp.288
ISBN# 9780786856862 $14.30
Have you been lost looking for something or someone? Well in this book The Sea of Monsters Percy Jackson looks for his friend that has gone missing looking for his god. But while on this quest Percy Jackson finds out that he has a brother, but not just any ordinary brother he was a cyclops. Percy does not believe it at first until Poseidon claims him. Percy hated him at first because everyone inside the camp made fun of him. While on the quest he runs into another cyclops just not such a friendly one. The cyclopes had once been beaten by a human and has a grudge against them now so he chases the around the island. Will Percy survive the quest or fail? If you loved the book The lightning Thief ( First book) You will Definitley love this one. Because the description of every move the characters makes you feel like your there.
By: Keanu Sims
The Smugglers
Iain Lawrence
Delacorte Press, 1999, 178
$15.95, 0-385-32663-7
Reviewed By: Blake
In this book you’ll join John and his father again as they plan to buy a new ship called the Dragon. Apparently the Dragon once was a smuggling ship and nobody thinks they should buy it, but John and his dad won’t listen. “Steer clear of that ship, death she’ll bring you,” says a mysterious man to John as he and his father are on their way to purchase the ship. But once they’ve made up their minds and found a crew that John doesn’t feel is the best choice, it’s too late and John is already sucked into another breathtaking adventure.
I recommend this book to anybody over the age of eleven and probably mostly boys, maybe even girls who have read and loved Iain Lawrence’s first book in the series, The Wreckers. I decided to read this book because of its nice crisp description on the back of the book. I think you should read it because of the authors alliteration and imagery skills used throughout the book.
If you enjoy an adventure book with an ending that you would never have seen coming, than you should read this book as soon as possible.
The Wreckers
Iain Lawrence
Yearling Books, 1998, 191 pages
$4.99, 0-440-41545-4
Reviewed by: Blake
How would you like it if you lived in a town where everybody wished for shipwrecks? Well, the brave and headstrong John Spencer (A fourteen year-old boy from England) is going to have to learn to deal with it. It all started when John’s father wanted to show him that sailing wasn’t a happy little fun land but a horrible cruel thing. On the trip everything goes wrong and John ends up in the town of Pendennis, where bloodthirsty wreckers dwell. Apparently everyone, including John’s father, died in the shipwreck (or did they) of the Isle of the sky, leading to their adventure in Pendennis.
I recommend this book to anyone over the age of ten and to either boys or girls (probably mostly boys) who enjoy a great well put together story by Iain Lawrence.
If you love a novel full of wonderful unexpected twists and turns, then I definitely need you to read this first book in a spectacular series.
Star in the Storm
Joan Hiatt Harlow
Alladin, 2000, 146
$4.99, 0-689-84621-5
“ I ran across the street with my parents to see what was wrong. My parents were hurrying me to the little house on the corner of our street to see my cousin. When I walked in the door I saw my little cousin always full of life was lying on the coach looking very sickly.”
Star in the storm is a book about a little girl in the past right after the Titanic sunk. Her younger cousin has gotten very sick because of the cold weather and is on the verge of death. It’s up to Maggie and her very strong and smart sheep dog sirius to save the day.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes books about controversy. I recommend this book to anyone between the ages 9 to adult
-Blaine
A DOG’S LIFE
Ann Martin
Scholastic, 2007, 192
$5.99, 0-439-71700-0
“I followed my brother Bone to the outside of the farm. I told him we shouldn’t go but, he wouldn’t listen so I followed him. We walked for miles and miles, and days and days. Finally we found a new home. With a poor farm family. Which only lasted about two weeks then we got kicked out.”
A Dog’s Life is a book about a stray dog whose mom dies and she is separated from her brother. A Dog’s Life is good for anyone under the ages of 13 and anyone who can handle somewhat sad books.
The author’s style is using great description to show the sadness of a stray dog.
The genre is probably realistic fiction.
-Blaine
LAST MAN STANDING
BY: DAVID BALDACCI
Grand central publishing, 638 pgs, $4.99
0446525804
“It was like I just froze, Claire. The guns hadn’t even started going off and I froze and fell to the ground,” said Web.
“Web, tell me exactly what happened to help me find the source of your confusion,” Claire said in a soft voice.
“I just froze I couldn’t move and I watched my team die, I should have died with them!” Web said, now in tears.
This book is about Web London, who works with the hostage rescue unit, (HRT), the hardest and most demanding group in the F.B.I.. He works in D.C. and his team was slaughtered right in front of him as he lay on the ground frozen. He is sees a therapist named Claire and that is just the beginning.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense, espionage (military stuff), and betrayal.
-Blaine
Ruroni Kenshin
Nobuhiro Watsuki
Viz Media
2003
199pgs.
$7.99
ISBN 0-329-42514-5
Revieved by Eyo
One hundred and forty years ago in Kyoto, there arose a warrior named Battosia manslayer opened a new era in the revolutionary war known as Meiji. Then he vanished without a trace, and after eleven years he became legend. After eleven years his adventure begins.
I think this graphic novel is as good as the Naruto graphic novel. I suggest that like action/comedy/adventure/romance to read this series.
Scorpia
By: Anthony Horowitz
Publisher: Scholastic
Published in: 2006
Pages: 312
ISBN 0-439-86225-6
Price: $5.99
Scorpia is the fifth installment to the Alex Rider series, where a teenage boy is recruited as a spy in the British army. In this book, Alex sets out to find the people who hired his father. When he learns that his father was hired by extremely lethal assassins, Alex is crushed. By Scorpia could still use Alex for something.
This story is an epic novel, and I recommend getting this book. I felt on edge the entire time I read this book, and I would also recommend the other books in the series. I recommend this book to anybody looking for an entertaining book.
ADVENTURE BOOK REVIEWS:
BUCKING THE SARGE
Christopher Curtis
Pub. Random House
p.259 $15.95 0-385-32307-7
“Luther T. Feral is doomed.” Or at least in the biggest pickle of his life, and he’s only 15. And for what reason? Well how about this…he is one of the smartest people in his whole school, and is looking to be the only person ever to get the 1st place in the science fair at his school. But, his mom or a.k.a “The sarge” is one of the most corrupt people ever too live.
But that’s not the only twist. Seeing as his mom secretly uses illegal supplies at work to make her profit. This is important because Luther decides to research the effects of illegal paint. Unknowingly that is one of the illegal products that his mom uses. So, yea, bad news for him.
This is one of those books about trouble, humor, and adventure. It leaves you wondering what going to happen next. And I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes humor.
Reviewed by Quinn
_
Storm Breaker
By: Anthony Horowitz
Penguin group, pg. 234, 2001
ISBN: 0-14-240656-2
Reviewed by: Trey
Alex Rider’s uncle passes away from a car crash. He wanted to see if his uncle really died from a car crash. He found out some one shot his uncle. Alan Blunt, leader of a spy agency named MI6, called Alex to see if he can go to the bank. He wanted to see his uncle’s office. He jumps out the window and gets caught by Alan blunt. Who sent him to this house with all this traps. The next thing he knew he was in a spy agency called the MI6. He saw his uncle’s file named “Storm Breaker.” And wanted to find what it is. This author likes to add lots of twist and turn in the story and has a lot of action that makes you not want to put down.
I recommend this book to teenagers. Also to people who like action books and adventure books.
_
The Bear and The Dragon Berkley, 2002, 1152 pp., $19.11
Tom Clancy ISBN: 0425180964
President Jack Ryan is a newbie in the world of politics. He finds life as the POTUS (President of the United States) is boring, robotic, and benign. It seems as if everything he does is watched and edited for mistakes. The meticulous planning of his everyday life drives him insane. He often asks himself, “Why am I here?” It isn’t until later that he realizes the answer to that very important question.
While the President ponders his devotion to his job, serious threats await the Chairmen of Russia, Golvovko. A gun is shot at him, but, it just so happens that it hits the identical car next to him, and he is returned safely back to his headquarters. There he finds himself wondering was the shooting purposeful or was it a mistake? Or who was the target intended for? It’s up to the President to find out who did this and why. The answer, he finds, is more difficult to swallow than the threat itself.
The Bear and the Dragon, by Tom Clancy is a novel you can’t put down. Clancy creates a world in your mind of suspense and everlasting fear of the unknown for what might happen. His novel is full of action and suspense, and he never fails to leave you wondering, “Why?” I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a book about the everyday struggles of life.
Reviewed By: Melanie
_
Lonesome Dove
Larry McMurtry
Simon and Schuster, 1989, 922 pp., $17.92
ISBN:9781558006225
On a scale of 1-10, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry is a surefire 10. It’s about two old, retired Texas Rangers living in an “old fart of a town called Lonesome Dove”. One named Gus McCrae is full of wit, adventure, and lust, and his partner in crime Woodrow Call is full of heartbreak and contempt. Although their characters are completely different, there is one thing they share: they are in love. Gus admits it too freely, and Woodrow never admits it enough. Together, the two of them embark on an adventure to “Montany” that changes their lives forever. Their different personalities come to a boiling point when they are confronted with a long term problem in their relationship- Maggie. Maggie and Woodrow had a baby together named Newt. Woodrow never admitted he was the father and his conscience got the worst of him when Maggie died. He could never admit he had made a big mistake with Maggie, and his relationship with Newt suffers as the reader is constantly frustrated by Woodrow denying that he is Newt’s father. Gus tries to tell him this, but Woodrow is too stubborn and proud to listen.
Larry McMurtry creates an ideal story in this book with a comic take on the pressures of life in the Western days. I laughed, I cried, and felt every single emotion there is. Filled with sorrow, battles, and love, Lonesome Dove will captivate any reader that enjoys to fall in love with a book.
Reviewed by: Melanie
_
State of Fear
Michael Crichton
Auron, 2004, 672 pp., $6.39
ISBN: 0061015733
Peter Evans is young, independent, and fully confident in his beliefs. He is a funny, witty lawyer and just so happens to be conveniently rich. He hopes to make his riches more abundant with a new job. Immediately, the head-honcho of the law firm asks him a simple question Peter thinks he is perfectly capable of answering: What is Global Warming?
Peter simply answers the question with an answer Peter knows to be true; the heating of the Earth through Greenhouse Gases. His boss answers with a simple, “No. It’s the theory.”
As Peter invests into the company, he gets more questions than answers, and finds himself doubting all he believes in. Joe’s suspicions increase when his boss from the law firm mysteriously dies in a car accident. The body was never found, and Peter wonders if his boss ever really got in a car accident at all. He struggles to link everything that has happened in his life, and finds everything comes back to one thing: Global Warming.
State of Fear, by Michael Crichton is an adventurous thriller that leaves you questioning your own beliefs, along with the beliefs of the characters as well. It never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Reviewed By: Melanie
The Uglies
Scott Westerfeld
Simon and Schuster children’s 2005,$7.99 Pp. 425
ISBN 978-0-689-86538-1
Tally can’t wait until she turns sixteen. In Tally’s world when you turn sixteen you get an operation to transform you into a prettier person, she believes she must follow this until she meets Shay, a rebellious girl who lives in Ugly Ville with Tally. Shay has decided that she wants to defy the authorities and not get the special operation and turn pretty. So Shay decides to run away to a place called “The Smokes”. “The smokes” is a place where ugly people go when they don’t want to turn pretty, and want to hide from the authorities. When Shay leaves, she leaves a paper with hints and clues to where “the smoke” is located, so that if Tally wants to follow her before her sixteenth birthday she can. Then the day of Tally’s operation the head woman of special circumstances calls her into “Special Circumstances”. Her name is Dr. Cable. Dr. Cable asks Tally about Shay and where she is. So, Tally tells her about “the smoke” and the directions Shay left her. Nobody except Tally even knows what the directions mean so Dr. Cable tells Tally that if she doesn’t go to “the smoke” and turn in her best friend then she won’t ever be able to turn pretty and fit into society.
“The Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld is an exciting treacherous book filled with lessons of friendship, loyalty, and trustworthiness. The characters really seem real to me because I can relate to my life, and I got caught up in the story. I could not put it down. I would recommend this to anyone with a thirst for adventure and friendship. I give this book a five star rating out of five.
Reviewed by: Micaela
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Warriors: Forest of Secrets
Erin Hunter
Harper Collins, 2003, 316 pp, $6.99
ISBN 978-0-06-052561-3
Have you ever interacted with someone who you suspect is a betrayer, yet he acts so innocent? This is Fireheart’s case as he tries to prove his Clan deputy guilty of murder. Fireheart lives among many cats in a forest where each group is divided into four Clans. The cats fight for food, territory, and power.
This third book in the series of Warriors books continues to follow Fireheart, an average forest cat who used to live with humans. He suspects his deputy of murdering a previous deputy so he could be deputy himself. Meanwhile, he tries deal with his friend, Graystripe. Graystripe fell in love with a cat in another Clan and got her pregnant. Fireheart desperately tries to convince his friend to not meet her anymore. Meanwhile, he tries to uncover the truth about his leader, Bluestar, as he suspects two cats from another Clan belonging to her.
As the plot continues to build, the story gets more and more interesting. This book follows Fireheart using cat attributions as he makes a final attempt to prove his murderous deputy guilty. I thought that this book was a fairly good book, but it was not the best book in the series. I thought that this book had no straightforward plot, felt like it was just a rerun of what the cats usually do. The author could have put a lot more effort into the book because I thought that the book was just cheesy. The very end was surprising though. Any cat or adventure lover will enjoy this third book in Erin Hunter’s series of Warrior’s books. I liked the way that Erin used cat attributions to better explain the cat’s experiences and troubles.
-Conor
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Warrior’s: The New Prophecy: Starlight
Erin Hunter
Harper Collins, 2006, 335 pp., $6.99
ISBN 978-0-06-082762-5
“Before there is peace...”
After the long journey the cats made due to a prophecy, which said their home would be destroyed; they finally arrived at their new home. However, there is a lot to do: territories to be made that are relevant to that Clan’s skill, a place for the four Clans to meet at full moons, and most importantly, a place to communicate with their ancestors.
Brambleclaw tries to settle his Clan into a new home because he and three other cats were the ones that received the prophecy that brought the four Clans to another forest. He also tries to deal with his friend, Squirrelflight. Squirrelflight is mad at Brambleclaw because Brambleclaw wants to have a relationship with his brother, Hawkfrost, whom she doesn’t trust. Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost feel distant and distrusted by their Clanmates because their father, Tigerstar, was a mass murderer and tried to take over the forest for power.
I thought that this book was a very good fantasy tale about cats. I would recommend this book to any cat-person or someone looking for an action-filled book. Erin Hunter wrote Starlight, the ninth book in the series, using cat attributions and followed the points of view of Brambleclaw and his Clan medicine cat, Leafpool. I thought that this book was a fairly enjoyable book to read because of Erin’s unique use of attributions that are cat-related, and the plot of this book made me reading for more.
-Conor
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Warriors The New Prophecy: Twilight
Erin Hunter
Harper Collins, 2006, 331 pp., $6.99
ISBN 978-0-06-082767-0
“Oh StarClan, what should I do?” wailed Leafpool.
The cats have just moved to their new home and are still discovering many things about the new forest. As they settle in, many relationships are jeopardized.
Squirrelflight and Bramblclaw used to be unseperable and had romantic feelings for each other. All that changed when Brambleclaw started hanging out with his brother who lives in another Clan. Squirrelflight is furious with Brambleclaw and tells him his brother can’t be trusted. Meanwhile, Squirrelflight’s sister, Leafpool, discovers that she has feelings for another cat. Leafpool eventually must decide to forget her love, or figure out a way to be with him. Not only is that cat in another Clan, she is also a medicine cat, and medicine cats cannot fall in love. Along with relationship problems, the Clan is faced with a problem with badgers.
I thought that Starlight was sad at some times, but the rest of the book was adventurous and full of action. Told in both Squirrelflight’s and Leafpool’s point of views, Erin Hunter describes the actions and emotions the two cats go through using cat-like attributions. These attributions show me that this author is very creative with her words as she describes the cats’ experiences. I think that this book has been one of the best in the series thus far. I would recommend this book to any cat-lover or person looking for a good fantasy book.
-Conor
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Ranger’s Apprentice: The Icebound Land book #3
John Flanagan
Philomel Books, 2006, 266 pgs.
$16.95, ISBN: 978-0-399-24456-8
Reviewed by: Roe
The Icebound Land is a great fantasy adventure book and is part of a sequel. The Ruins of Gorlan is book one and The Burning Bridge is book two. Flanagan starts this wonderful book with Will, the main character. He is an orphan who believes his dad was a famous knight and will find him someday. His master, Halt, is a master ranger and head of the ranger’s corpse and was training him in the way of the ranger. Now he finds himself on the wolfship and was taken by a crew of Skandians that captured him after he burned down the bridge. They encounter many obstacles like storms, slaves, guns, bows, and cabins in this wonderful book.
I found this book really thrilling as the non-stop action took hold of me. I recommend this book to all the medieval lovers out there.
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Shackleton’s Stowaway
Victoria McKernan
Borzoi Book 2005 $15.95
pps.304 ISBN-0-375-82691-2
Perce Blackborow wants adventure in his life and can’t resist sneaking on Shackleton’s ship with the help of his friends Tim and Billy. When one of Shackleton’s men finds Perce in one of the lockers, Shackleton decides to keep him. Perce will have to work for the crew. When the ship sets sail for Antarctica, Perce assumes that he will finally get that adventure that he wanted, but instead the ship gets stuck in ice, and the crew has to abandon ship. The crew will have to work together to survive.
I liked this book because it is a good adventure book about spirit and surviving when there is no hope. This crew has to work together to escape the arctic. It’s a struggle every day for these people to survive in weather were if you spit it would freeze before it hit the ground, and yet they still keep going. Their food is scarce and it’s a joy to find a penguin to eat. After the crew lost their ship they had to eat seal and penguin and it drives the men crazy.
This is an inspirational Blue Bonnet book for any guy older than 10. Its an incredible book that I can guarantee you will like. It was possibly the best book I’ve ever read, and I bet you’ll feel the same.
-Brandon
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The Thief
Megan Turner
Greenwillow Books 1996
219 pp., $5.99 ISBN# 0-688-14627-9
Gen, who is a professional thief, is thrown in jail because of his incredible skill. When the king hears of his great achievements as a thief, Gen gets another chance at life. The king sends Gen to steal the great Hamiathe’s gift, an ancient stone with the power of immortality, in exchange for his freedom. So Gen sets off on an adventure with Sophos, Ambades, and the Magus, to find the stone, but there’s more to Gen then his appearance. What will happen on his way through hostile ground?
This story is full of surprises; there is a new event on every page. You’ll never expect what will happen in this action/puzzle adventure. You get to know Gen as you follow him in a first person point of view, but there is always more than he leads.
I enjoyed this book, it gets better and better as it goes on. People who like adventures will like this book. It is a book for all ages, and it’s a perfect way to kill some time. Even people who don’t like to read will be drawn to this book. I really don’t like to read books, but this was one I enjoyed.
-Brandon
James And The Giant Peach
Roald Dahl
Lane Smith, PP.144,
1996 ISBN-13:9780140374247
Could you imagine both of your parents dying and then being shipped off to live with your mean, terrible aunts? This is exactly what happens to the main character, James. James is a seven-year-old boy who never gets in trouble; he is a very friendly boy who loved being with his parents. Aunt Spiker is a very mean, cruel, nasty woman who just doesn’t like kids at all. Aunt Sponge is a very large lady who doesn’t really like children either. they treat James very awful such as making him eat what ever is left over from what aunt Sponge and aunt Spiker had for dinner that night. Will James ever get rid of his evil aunts and fly on a giant peach with his insect friends?
Roald Dahl makes this story very adventurous and very descriptive. Roald Dahl knows how to make a story very adventure. James and the Giant Peach is a fictional book. I would recommend this book to children six to ten years of age. If I would rate this book from zero to ten I would rate it an eight. The reason why I chose this book to read is because I like how Roald Dahl is just very adventurous. Seek James And The Giant Peach and start your adventure.
-Kyle
The Sea Of Monsters
Rick Riordon, Hyperion
Copyight- 2006 pp.288
ISBN# 9780786856862 $14.30
Have you been lost looking for something or someone? Well in this book The Sea of Monsters Percy Jackson looks for his friend that has gone missing looking for his god. But while on this quest Percy Jackson finds out that he has a brother, but not just any ordinary brother he was a cyclops. Percy does not believe it at first until Poseidon claims him. Percy hated him at first because everyone inside the camp made fun of him. While on the quest he runs into another cyclops just not such a friendly one. The cyclopes had once been beaten by a human and has a grudge against them now so he chases the around the island. Will Percy survive the quest or fail? If you loved the book The lightning Thief ( First book) You will Definitley love this one. Because the description of every move the characters makes you feel like your there.
By: Keanu Sims
The Smugglers
Iain Lawrence
Delacorte Press, 1999, 178
$15.95, 0-385-32663-7
Reviewed By: Blake
In this book you’ll join John and his father again as they plan to buy a new ship called the Dragon. Apparently the Dragon once was a smuggling ship and nobody thinks they should buy it, but John and his dad won’t listen. “Steer clear of that ship, death she’ll bring you,” says a mysterious man to John as he and his father are on their way to purchase the ship. But once they’ve made up their minds and found a crew that John doesn’t feel is the best choice, it’s too late and John is already sucked into another breathtaking adventure.
I recommend this book to anybody over the age of eleven and probably mostly boys, maybe even girls who have read and loved Iain Lawrence’s first book in the series, The Wreckers. I decided to read this book because of its nice crisp description on the back of the book. I think you should read it because of the authors alliteration and imagery skills used throughout the book.
If you enjoy an adventure book with an ending that you would never have seen coming, than you should read this book as soon as possible.
The Wreckers
Iain Lawrence
Yearling Books, 1998, 191 pages
$4.99, 0-440-41545-4
Reviewed by: Blake
How would you like it if you lived in a town where everybody wished for shipwrecks? Well, the brave and headstrong John Spencer (A fourteen year-old boy from England) is going to have to learn to deal with it. It all started when John’s father wanted to show him that sailing wasn’t a happy little fun land but a horrible cruel thing. On the trip everything goes wrong and John ends up in the town of Pendennis, where bloodthirsty wreckers dwell. Apparently everyone, including John’s father, died in the shipwreck (or did they) of the Isle of the sky, leading to their adventure in Pendennis.
I recommend this book to anyone over the age of ten and to either boys or girls (probably mostly boys) who enjoy a great well put together story by Iain Lawrence.
If you love a novel full of wonderful unexpected twists and turns, then I definitely need you to read this first book in a spectacular series.
Star in the Storm
Joan Hiatt Harlow
Alladin, 2000, 146
$4.99, 0-689-84621-5
“ I ran across the street with my parents to see what was wrong. My parents were hurrying me to the little house on the corner of our street to see my cousin. When I walked in the door I saw my little cousin always full of life was lying on the coach looking very sickly.”
Star in the storm is a book about a little girl in the past right after the Titanic sunk. Her younger cousin has gotten very sick because of the cold weather and is on the verge of death. It’s up to Maggie and her very strong and smart sheep dog sirius to save the day.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes books about controversy. I recommend this book to anyone between the ages 9 to adult
-Blaine
A DOG’S LIFE
Ann Martin
Scholastic, 2007, 192
$5.99, 0-439-71700-0
“I followed my brother Bone to the outside of the farm. I told him we shouldn’t go but, he wouldn’t listen so I followed him. We walked for miles and miles, and days and days. Finally we found a new home. With a poor farm family. Which only lasted about two weeks then we got kicked out.”
A Dog’s Life is a book about a stray dog whose mom dies and she is separated from her brother. A Dog’s Life is good for anyone under the ages of 13 and anyone who can handle somewhat sad books.
The author’s style is using great description to show the sadness of a stray dog.
The genre is probably realistic fiction.
-Blaine
LAST MAN STANDING
BY: DAVID BALDACCI
Grand central publishing, 638 pgs, $4.99
0446525804
“It was like I just froze, Claire. The guns hadn’t even started going off and I froze and fell to the ground,” said Web.
“Web, tell me exactly what happened to help me find the source of your confusion,” Claire said in a soft voice.
“I just froze I couldn’t move and I watched my team die, I should have died with them!” Web said, now in tears.
This book is about Web London, who works with the hostage rescue unit, (HRT), the hardest and most demanding group in the F.B.I.. He works in D.C. and his team was slaughtered right in front of him as he lay on the ground frozen. He is sees a therapist named Claire and that is just the beginning.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense, espionage (military stuff), and betrayal.
-Blaine
Ruroni Kenshin
Nobuhiro Watsuki
Viz Media
2003
199pgs.
$7.99
ISBN 0-329-42514-5
Revieved by Eyo
One hundred and forty years ago in Kyoto, there arose a warrior named Battosia manslayer opened a new era in the revolutionary war known as Meiji. Then he vanished without a trace, and after eleven years he became legend. After eleven years his adventure begins.
I think this graphic novel is as good as the Naruto graphic novel. I suggest that like action/comedy/adventure/romance to read this series.
Scorpia
By: Anthony Horowitz
Publisher: Scholastic
Published in: 2006
Pages: 312
ISBN 0-439-86225-6
Price: $5.99
Scorpia is the fifth installment to the Alex Rider series, where a teenage boy is recruited as a spy in the British army. In this book, Alex sets out to find the people who hired his father. When he learns that his father was hired by extremely lethal assassins, Alex is crushed. By Scorpia could still use Alex for something.
This story is an epic novel, and I recommend getting this book. I felt on edge the entire time I read this book, and I would also recommend the other books in the series. I recommend this book to anybody looking for an entertaining book.
- Michael Zerrillo